Style Illuminated

The modern mix design trend reflects the way we live today. No longer are we saddled with having to create one “look,” rather it’s all about creating an eclectic mix of design elements to reflect our varied interests and taste. The notion of mixing many elements is a modern idea and Lamps Plus has devoted and entire section to lighting and furnishings that capture the modern mix home decorating style.

Much of this trend borrows from the 1960s and 1970s among others. I love the introduction of chrome seating and references to classic geometry. Additionally, picture lights that were once only seen in stuffy libraries have been spruced up, refinished in crisp tones and are now the rage in most any room of the house where you want dramatic, direct light.

The modern mix design trend can also capture the golden age of Hollywood. Art Deco shapes have been revived, and like the lighting above, have been reinterpreted with new finishes and fresh details to make them relevant in today’s home.

Lighting designs steeped in classic 1950s shapes are also back, having been transformed into truly modern light fixtures. I love how the mod 1950s style floor lamp above pops against the very modern color palette of cool gray. As long as your shapes, colors and scale are harmonious, you can’t go wrong.

Photos: La Dolce Vita, Ashley Goforth Design.

In my second installment of the Colors for Summer Decorating series, we will focus on scorching hot red decor. (We previously talked about yellow decor for summer.) It is so easy to incorporate bold summer reds into your seasonal decor routine, either in lighting, accessories or colorful outdoor furniture.  A pop of red is sure to inspire a sizzling backyard fiesta!

As patriotic and American as apple pie, red decor accents signify those long hot days of summer.  Unlike sweet, cheerful yellow, mixing in bright, bold reds for the summer adds a 'wow' factor.  Whether planning one party or accessorizing for the entire season, mixing in red patio furniture, serving trays, potted plants and accent lighting brings a fun, festive feel to any space.  Check out how to incorporate bold red lighting, furniture and accessories in your home below - and don't forget an outdoor ceiling fan to keep cool.

Shopping guide: Adirondack Chair, Coffee Mugs, Throw Blanket, Accent Pillows, Birdcage Pendant Light, Table Lamp

Red or yellow - which is your favorite color for summer decorating?

All Images: Summer Accents Pinterest Album

Ceiling fans are coming back into style. Words I’m not sure I thought I would write or say a few years back. I must say I have been converted to the functionality and style of fans - plus it doesn’t hurt that they cool things down on a sweltering day.

Summer is almost here so it may be time to consider upgrading existing fans or adding them to lower energy bills. The ceiling fans from Lamps Plus cover a wide range of popular features like remote control and energy efficient models. However, as a designer, I’m more concerned about how they look!

Tropical style ceiling fans are chic in warmer climates and in veranda settings. I would probably use them when ceilings are high as the blades tend to be larger and may look “de trop” in smaller rooms. Also, tropical fans with lights create a casual atmosphere and allow you to enjoy the outdoors at night.

Modern fans offer a sleek version of the old classic. The more aerodynamic styling makes them on the one hand disappear and on the other so aesthetically attractive you want to stare! Look how fabulous they look even when the decor is not minimalist.

The classic ceiling fan is timeless. I would, however, match the color of the fan to the ceiling as seen in the images above. If you want the look of a bygone era, this is the fan for you.

Retro style fans are so cool they’re hot. OK, seriously? Taking the look of an “old school” tabletop fan and converting it to a ceiling model is genius. I couldn’t love this design more and secretly wish my central air would falter so that I could buy one.

Ceiling fans aren't limited to the indoors either - a stylish outdoor ceiling fan is the perfect addition to a covered porch, patio, or sunroom. 

Photos: Habitually Chic, House of Turquoise.

No matter what your decorating style, there's room for a little leopard or cheetah, zebra or giraffe. Treat animal prints like a neutral and work within your existing aesthetic when you incorporate these decorating ideas —a vast range of options exists for every design sensibility. 

I've always had a soft spot for animal prints in home decor. Not only do they offer an ideal balance between restrained color and eye-catching pattern, they're also surprisingly versatile.

Channel feminine glamour with animal accents on Hollywood Regency pieces; traditional silhouettes get an energetic update with safari-inspired upholstery; textured elements like printed linens and dyed hides add depth to earthy interiors.

If you're trepidatious, start with with inconspicuous details like a transitional table lamp style with a leopard-lined lamp shade;  or a single animal-print throw pillow. Once you've dipped in your toes, don't be surprised to find yourself feeling fearless. Animal prints have a way of taking you for a walk on the wild side!

Here's how to introduce animal prints into your home decor: 1. Antiqued Silver Glass Lamp 2. Zebra Back Arm Chair 3. Zebra Faux Leather Tray 4. Animal Print Armless Chaise 5. Black Faux Suede Clear Glass Table Lamp 6. Birch Bark Table Lamp and Zebra Stripe Lamp Shade 7. Tiger Print Cowhide Rug 

Images: Lamps Plus Guest Blogging Pinterest

Quick home decor updates should be inexpensive and liven up any room. Most of us don’t have the funds for major room redecoration, so here are some simple ideas that will have a huge effect on your home without breaking the bank.

Adding a hot pattern can modernize any room. Love the trellis wallpaper, but rent? Treat yourself to a decorative patterned pillow and get a similar look.

A hot new look is to add old school fixtures to bookshelves for a dramatic lighting affect. Have and old bookcase or hutch that needs a face lift? Why not paint the old monster and mount a pair of chic swing arm wall lights or picture lights at the top to highlight books and collectibles. Plug-in fixtures work best as you can drop the wires behind the case (you may need to drill holes in the back to snake the wires through) and voila, instant chic.

Could adding new shades to bedside lamps and sconces be an easier update? I think not. New lamp shades can personalize a room and make it look designer done.

Pendant lights are all the rage over islands, but what about swapping out the old overhead light in your kitchen. Most of us have a dated flush mount or fluorescent box which are far from attractive and should probably be changed. Assuming you have the ceiling height, try to opt for unique pendant light fixtures for your kitchen.

A hook and a dream is all you need to visually expand a tight space. Mirrors are also a wonderful way to add light to dark corners and halls.

Floors and ceilings are often times neglected. Adding a cool zebra rug will add texture and movement. Another great feature of zebra rugs is that they hide minor messes.

Follow these 6 tips to give your lackluster home decor a quick update. Happy decorating!

Photos: A Perfect Gray.

Decorating inspiration is everywhere. Your environment can really influence your design choices. I love to throw outdoor dining parties that amplify the environment we're in. I'm completely smitten by this outdoor dining table. The wood paneling feels warm and inviting while the use of white place settings and succulent centerpieces feels modern and fresh.

This is a look that anyone could easily recreate. With just a few key elements you can transform your deck {or even indoor dining room} into a chic and trendy space that feels young and exciting for the summer months! The key is to mix modern pieces, like the wire chairs with more rustic pieces, like a wood table for a perfect balance. And don't forget the importance of mood-setting outdoor lighting and designer landscape lighting fixtures to create an ideal ambiance.

Shopping guide to get this outdoor dining look: Succulent Arrangement // Stratus Collection Sconce // White Steel Dining Chairs // Surya White Gardens Pillow // Maritime Hanging Light

Image credits: JL Designs.

Yesterday the daffodils started blooming in the yard. Which got flower decor ideas blooming in my head!

Tiny little flowers poking their heads up toward the sun.....ready for spring.

Absolute perfection.

And while I adore flowers in the garden......truthfully.....decorating with flowers inside the house is a lot more fun.

I'm not just talking fresh flowers in a vase.

I'm talking flowers everywhere....on the wall, on fabrics, on furniture and on the floor.

And the best part?

No more weeding!

So if you adore flowers like I do....here's some fun ways to incorporate them into your home decor.

1.  Take a seat

Why not add a statement chair or floral-patterned ottoman?

Combine neutral floor coverings and a mix of patterned accessories to truly make the chair a stand-out.

If an all-over floral pattern is too much of a commitment....choose a more neutral chair material and add a slipcover for spring.

2.  Hang it up

I adore big pictures.

They truly make a room your own.

Choose graphic images of flowers to add a modern feel to a neutral space.

Or warm up a reading nook or hallway with contemporary floral wall art and a pop of color.

3.  Don't tread on me

A floral area rug is an easy way to change the look of a room completely.

Transform your space from neutral to colorful and whimsical or classic and streamlined....all with a little color underfoot.

If you have wood or tile floors....an inexpensive option for a room is an indoor/outdoor rug.

These rugs are so easy to clean and perfect for a busy lifestyle.

4.  Look out that window

Grow a garden inside and out with colorful floral fabric at your windows.

Choose from vibrant floral patterns with bold colors and hues to whisper-soft fabrics with subtle textures and dainty flowers.

Then compliment the flowers at the window with a beautiful arrangement of flowers in an elegant crystal vase for the perfect spring addition to any room.

Growing season has started.

It's finally spring!

Flower decor ideas are in full bloom over here - what's blooming at your house?

Photo credit:  Picture 1:  Thistlewood Farms Picture 2:  bhg  Picture 3:  bhg Picture 4:  Decoration Channel  Picture 5 :  bhg

What's your bedroom decorating style - Bright White, Global Color, or Moody Drama? These 3 bedrooms for the ladies are all vastly different and very stylish, and it's the bedside table lamps, plush home textiles, and unique accent mirrors that give each space its individual flair. Read on to find your bedroom style!

BRIGHT WHITE: Having white walls in your bedroom gives you a blank slate to work with, and keeps the room light and airy — if that's what you are going for. We love how blogger Cassandra Lavalle styled her bedroom — mostly white with black, gold and her signature kelly green pop.

Shopping Guide: White Nail Button Border Headboard Bed; Leaf Throw Pillows; Black Table Lamp; Antique Gold Oval Wall Mirror. Credit for bright white image: Rue Magazine. Photography by Belathee Photography. Design by Cassandra Lavalle.

GLOBAL COLOR: For the traveler or more adventurous decorator a bright global color palette will make a statement and be sure to put a smile on your face when you enter your room. Display items you've collected from trips, and pair with global patterned pillows, a bright blanket and accessories.

Shopping Guide: White Wall Mirror; Surya Tristen Red Throw Blanket; Set of 2 Safavieh Calycopis Moroccan Accent Pillows; Butterfly 13" Square Silhouette Wall Art. Credit for global color image: Rue Magazine (November 2012 Issue). Interior Design and Styling by Kelley Moore. Photography by Michelle Drewes.

MOODY DRAMA: For a more moody dramatic look, monochromatic grays and neutrals with black and white will do the trick. We love this black reactive glass lamp, it's so unique and will be sure to set the mood. Pair it with a modern side table and an orchid for a bit of feminine flair.

Shopping guide: Flynn Mercury Black Reactive Glass Table Lamp; Faux Orchids in Black Floral Pot; Bachelor Driftwood TV Table; Global Bazaar Dunes Gray Throw Pillow. Credit for moody drama image: Rue Magazine. Styling by Laina Navarro. Design by ID810 Design Group. Photographed by Emily Anderson.

So - what's your bedroom decorating style?

By now anyone who delights in interior design knows that the black room is a major trend. Some of you may even have dared to go dark. More likely, you may admire the look, but are unsure how to pull it off. Here are five different ways you can style a room with black paint on the walls, from pops of bright color through lamps, rugs, and furniture, to barely any tonal differentiation at all.

Moody and magnificent, interiors that combine black walls with these distinct blues are all-encompassing; almost like being in the depth of the ocean. These rooms bring in color through area rugs and accent chairs. The table lamp in the bedroom also pulls in a blue hue, as does the artwork. On the right, in a sophisticated library designed for a showhouse in Atlanta, architectural brass books shelves and a spiky chandelier add interest, while the table is a clear acrylic, so as not to clog up the visual space.

Shopping guide: 1. Galaxy Midnight Chrome Mini Chandelier 2. Foundry Antique Pewter Bookcase 3. Spa Blue Shade Rubbed White Fluted Column Table Lamp 4. Oriental Weavers Revival Aqua Area Rug 5. Alessandra Teal Wingback Chair. Interior images: via The Decorista; Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles.

Rich camels and polished metals and lacquered surfaces give gloss and glean to otherwise tailored dens. A spot of animal print adds interest, while lines remain clean on both furniture pieces and frames. On the left, the black lampshade on the sconce blends into the wall rather than detracts from the carefully curated gallery of artwork. On the right, in the Hollywood Hills home of L.A. designer Adam Bram Straus, the contemporary silhouette of the cocktail table provides contrast to an Old World oil portrait.

Shopping guide: 1. Frederick Cooper Hunting Horn Brass Wall Sconce 2. Centennial Brown Velvet Sofa 3. Brown Zebra Rug 4. Arteriors Home Othello Antique Mirror Top Coffee Table. Interior images: Ralph Lauren Home; Lonny.

You've seen the Scandinavian-inspired all white interiors with cheerful color scattered about. How 'bout trying it on a black base? Black walls set an anything but somber tone in these room. In the bedroom of designer Emily Walker, the black wall anchors the crisp white bed and graphic rug , which pop perfectly along with the bedside lamps. The living room belongs to interior designer Jimmie Martin and photographer Rick Schultz in London, decorated with lots of quirky finds and a mix of high/low home furnishings in eye-popping neons.

Shopping guide: 1. Bella Green Glass Chandelier 2. Aspen Silhouette Rug 3. Safavieh Mirabelle Chocolate Burst Accent Pillows 4. Brunetta Purple Accent Table. Interior images: Photo by Donna Griffith in House and Home; Photo by Rick Schultz in Design Sponge.

Black on black? Yes, this tonal look really does work. The secret is touches of brass and silver accessories and perhaps a chandelier with crystals, with a textural rug and some leopard print pillows thrown in for good measure. Notice the walls and and furniture are matte, and not everything is pure noir—a number of the furnishings are finished in a dark brown wood. So is the door in the library on the left, which happens to be the Kentucky home of fashion designers Mark Badgley and James Mischka. The study on the left, designed by Richmond, Virgina-based interior designer Todd Yoggy is equally tailored and masculine.

Shopping guide: 1. Markham Antique Brass Black Leather Floor Lamp 2. Leopard Print Pillow 3. Haeger Potteries Black Cheetah and Cub Ceramic Sculpture 4. Windsor Black and Cherry Wood Dining Chair 5. Black Finish Round Drop Leaf Pedestal Table 6. Woolrich River Run Black Faux Leather Accent Pillow. Interior images: Photo by Roger Davies in Elle Decor; Todd Yoggy Interior Design.

Matte black punctuated with mustard yellow gives off a bit of art deco vibe, especially in the photo on the left, picturing a stairwell in a retail shop. The vintage graphic posters in a sunny shade blend beautifully with the more modern abstracts. on the right, Houston-based interior designer Sally Wheat keeps the number of pieces used in this workspace to a minimum, but the styles are absolutely varied, from the white lacquered faux bamboo Chippendale chair to the hunting lodge chic antlers, to the geo-themed yellow table lamp.

Shopping guide: 1. Stellan Multicolored Deer Pendant Light 2. Sophia White and Chrome Office Chair 3. Thumprints Jewel Cast Metal Yellow Table Lamp. Interior images: Lonny; Sally Wheat Interiors.

Consider all of this visual inspiration at your fingertips your resource guide to make a black room work. Which would you use to accent your dark walls - peacock blue, camel and brass, brights, dark wood, or mustard yellow?

Industrial Chic decor refers to a new style of decoration that borrows heavily on old classics and non-residential elements. Similar to what we have been seeing in the Steam Punk movement, industrial chic design incorporates rough-hewn metals, cage lighting, and Edison-style filament bulbs that look like they came from antique warehouses.

Industrial design can be interpreted and used in most rooms but looks truly authentic in a kitchen. From metal seating and bar stools to hanging pendant light fixtures with serious patina, industrial chic design can turn your kitchen into a fabulous version of a hot new restaurant or cafe. A great trick to offset the cold metal is to use wood somewhere in the scheme, such as a table, counter or butcher block.

Lighting can also reflect an industrial bent especially if the fixtures have hammered or punched metal. Industrial chandeliers may look old but know they are truly modern and “on trend.” Lamps Plus has devoted an entire section to Industrial Chic lighting and decor.

Taking industrial chic decor into living rooms and bedrooms can work beautifully. Just like in the kitchen, remember to balance the heavy use of metal with soft furnishings, like worn leather sofas and chairs. I love the use of textured wallpaper in the bedroom above which, while picking up the color of the metal lamp, softens the space.

Shopping List: 1. Metal Cage Dark Rust Industrial Pendant Light 2. Cooper Classics Connell Round Cog Wall Mirror 3. Quoizel Uptown Theater Row Bronze Wall Sconce 4. Set of 4 Zuo Modern Marius Gunmetal Counter Stools 5. Antiqued Wood and Metal Console Table 6. Industrial Cage Rust Metal Pendant Light 

Photo Credit: The New Victorian Ruralist.